Deep well drilling device



March l, 1949.

V. PRASSEL DEEP WELL DRILLING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 24, 1945 IIY v. PRAssEl. 2,463,420

DEEP WELL DRILLING lDEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheetl 2 March 1, 1949.

Filed Sept. 24, i945 March 1, 1949. V, PRASSEL DEEP WELT.; DRILLING' DEVICE Filed Sept. 24, 1945.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March l, 1949. V, PRASSEL DEEP WELL DRILLING DEVICE 5 Shee'as-SheerI 4 Filed Sept. 24, 1945 March 1,'1949. v. #RASSEL 2,463,420

DEEP WELL DRILLING DEVICE Filed Sept. 24, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 M M9LM www# Patented Mar. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE 2 Claims. 1 rihis invention relates to well-drilling apparatus.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved Well drilling means for drilling large diameter holes wherein the operator for the drill bit is disposed closely adjacent the bit and is adapted to be progressively shifted downwardly as the drilling proceeds.

Another object of this invention is to provide drilling apparatus of this kind wherein the casing may be formed in segments and applied to the bore or hole in progression and in sections, and each section being 'firmly anchored in the bore.

A further object of this invention is to provide drilling apparatus of this 1sind including an improved means for supporting the drilling mechanism `which is so constructed and arranged that the supporting means may be collapsed and withdrawn through the casing.

A further object of this invention is to provide drilling apparatus of this kind embodying the use of an air turbine operator for the drill bit.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved casing for a large diameter well which is formed of segments overlapping each other at their longitudinal edges, and the overlapping edges of the segments are secured together by the inner end of anchoring rods which are extended from the casing into the substrate. so that each completed casing section is self supported within the well opening.

A further object of this invention is to provide a casing which is inserted into the well opening from. the interior thereof, the succeeding sections being inserted below the preceding sections.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved drill bit which includes a centrally disposed pilot bit which, after initially preceding the main bit, is adapted to be coupled or clutched to the main bit for operation therewith, and which acts to keep the main bit in a straight path so that the main bit will not be deiiected when contacting rock or other hard substances.

With the foregoing objects in view, and others which may hereinafter more fully appear, I have invented the novel construction combination and arrangement of parts, as will be more specifn cally described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modiiications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention, as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figures l, 1A and 1B are fragmentary longi tudinal sections of a well drill apparatus constructed according to an embodiment of this invention. Y

Figures 2 and 2A arefragmentary longitudinal sections of the lower portion oi the drilling apparatus showing the latter in collapsed or released position.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line ii-4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the air turbine and reduction gearing.

igure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 1A.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1 1 :of Figure 1B.

Figure 8 is a sectional 8 8 of Figure 1B.

Figure 9 is a sectional 9 9 of Figure 1B.

Figure 10 is a detail side elevation of the main drilling bit.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line l I l l of Figure 1.

Figure 12 is a sectional View taken on the line I2 !2 of Figure 1l.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on the line i3-I3 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings the numeral I5 designates generally a casing section which is formed of a plurality of segmental members I6, Il and lli. The segmental members I5. l1 and I8 are provided with rabbeted opposite longitudinal edges i9, so that the inner and outer surface of the casing segments will be flush and form a substantially perfect cylinder. A plurality of outwardly extending anchoring members 2li extend from the joints between the segmental sections IG, I1 and I8 being secured to the joints of these segments by fastening means 2|, which also provide a means for securing the segmental members together. The anchoring members 2l) are adapted to be extended outwardly or radially into the substrata of the earth so as to support the casing section which is formed up of the segmental members It, I1, and I8.

A drill bit, generally designated as 22, is rotatablyv mounted within the casing l5, and includes a body 23 having pivotally secured thereto a plurality of cutting blades 24. The body 23 is formed with a central opening 25 through which a pilot drill bit 26 is adapted to loosely and rotatably engage. The body 23 has extending upwardly therefrom, a pipe or sleeve 21 which is threaded into an annular flange 28 carried by the upper side of the body 23. A plurality of clutch teeth 29 are carried by the upper side of the body 23 forming one clutch element with which the drill bit 22 is adapted to be coupled for rotation thereof.

A drill rod 3U extends axially upwardly `from the sleeve or cylindrical member 2",v engaging through a bearing 3I'carried bythe upper end` of view taken on the line view taken on the line the sleeve 21. A clutch collar or element 32 is fixed to the lower end of the drill rod 39, and when the bit 26 is in its lowermost extended and operative position Yclutch member 32 `is adapted to engage the clutch'member formed by the teeth 29 so as to rotate the drill bit 22 with the bit 25 when the latter is in its extended or pilot position. The drill rod 30 is slidably and rotatably mounted in a centrally disposed tube 33 and a turbine 34 is interposed in the length of the tube 33 and connected to the drill rod 39 for operation thereof. The turbine 34 is of conventional construction being of the type operated by air pressure. It is disposed within housing 36 and includes a spur gear 39 keyed on its main shaft. Said shaft is hollow for receiving rod 39 therein.

Gear 39 meshes with gear 35 fastened to the input shaft of reductor A. On the output shaft 'of said reductor pinion 35B is fastened and meshes with gear 35C which is provided with a long hub, in which key 38 is installed and engages keyway 31 provided on rod 39. The purpose of the above named gears and reductor is to reduce the speed generated by the turbine so that rod 39 may be operated at low speed.

The gear 35C is disposed about the rod 39 and provides a means whereb-y the rod 39 may be rotated while this rod may be moved endwise as 'will be hereinafter described. The turbine 34 is connected to an air pressure line 40 which is extended above the surface of the ground and an exhaust air line 4| extends from the turbine 34 and terminates at a point above the drill bit 22.

The drill rod 35 has secured to the upper end thereof, a swivel 42 with which a iiexible cable 43 is connected. A weight, or hold down member 44 is secured on swivel 42 and provides a means whereby the drill rod will be moved downwardly at the same time that it is being rotated. The cable 43 is connected at its upper end to a platform 45 disposed within the casing i5. The platform 45 engages vertically disposed guide rods 45 and 41 which are fixed by mounting members 43 and 49 respectively to the inner surface of the casing l5. The guide member 41 is formed with a toothedrack extending lengthwise thereof with which a gear 5i is adapted to mesh. The

-gear 5| is connected to a reduction gearing 52 which isoperated from a motor 53.

The platform 45 has extending downwardly therefrom, a pair of elongated members 54 which are formed with a chamber 55 within which a magnetic brake 56 is positioned. The magnetic brake 56 is of a conventional type which com- Iprises a coil and a core that can be electrically energized for the purpose of setting up a magnetic eld which magnetic field resists the movement of the brake and the platform -45 relative to the immediately adjacent members of the casing I5. Theclutch-55 is correlated with the guide members 4'6 and 41 for providing a means to hold the platform 45 in adjusted position. The turbine `34 is-adapted to be adjustably supported at a point below the casing I5, by means of upper and lower supporting assemblies, generally designated as 51 and-58. The upper assembly 51 includes a plurality of radially'arranged arms 59 secured to an annular flange -60 carried by the upper end of the tubular member 33by fastening members 6l.

The arms 59 are slotted, as at 53a, at their outer ends, for slidably receiving the lower ends of bell lcrank members 62. The bell crank members 62 -are.pivotally mounted-as at B3, on a collar 64 disposed-about the tubular member 65, which is secured at its lower end in a hub 66 carried by the radial arms 59. The bell crank members 62 have secured to their outer ends, pressure heads 61 which are adapted to engage the inner surface ofthe opening, or hole 68, which is formed by the drill bit 22. The collar 64 is slidable on the tubular member 65 and has secured to its upper side an eye 69 with which the lower end of a releasing cable 10 is connected. The lower supporting assembly 58 includes a plurality of radially arranged arms 1l carried by a hub 12 which is secured by fastening members 13 to the flanged lower end 14 of the tubular member 33. A plurality of bell crank members 15 are rockably mounted on pivot members 15, carried by a collar 11 which is slidable on the tubular member 33, and the bell crank members 15 have secured to one side thereof a pressure or clamping head 18. The arms 1| are provided with slots 19 in their outer ends in which theI bell crank members 15 are adapted to loosely engage. The two collars 54 and 11 are connected together by a plurality of elongated connecting bars 89. The connecting bars B5 are provided at their upper ends with right angular, inwardly extending extensions 8l, which are mounted on the pivot members 63. The lower ends of the bars are bent obtusely inwardly as at 82, and are mounted on the pivot members l5. When the upper collar '64 is raised upwardly the outer vertical sides of the bell crank members 52 and 15 will be forced outwardly to a substantially Vertical position by sliding engagement of the inner edges of the bell cranks with the inner ends of the slots 59a and 19.

To release clamping heads 61 and 18 from their clamping positiony drill rod 39 is raised by cable 43. This operation will cause the clutch member 32 to contact bearing 3l which will push arms 1l, tube 33 and arms 59 upwardly. When said arms are so pushed, heads 61 and 18 will rock downwardly and inwardly by their own weight.

The supporting members or assemblies 51 and 58 provide a means for holding the drill bit and turbine concentrically of the well opening, and provide for the straight boring of the drill and pilot bits. The cable 19 is wound about a drum 83 which is mounted on the lower side of the platform 45, and operatively connected to a reduction gearing 84 connected to a motor 85.

In order to provide a means for removing the loose material which is loosened by the drill bit 22, I have provided a suction pipe 86 which is extended downwardly through the casing l5 to a point adjacent the drill bit 22. The upper end of the suction pipe may be connected with suitable suction means, such as a pump or the like, for withdrawing the loosened material as the drill 22 progresses in the wall opening,

The pipe 85 and the air supply pipe-49 are supported at one side of the axial center of the casing, and well opening, by bracket means 81 shown in Figures 1B and 7 which is secured to one of the connecting bars 89. Also by bracket means 81A shown in Figures 1A and 3 secured to casing l5.

When turbine 36 is lowered, additional pieces of pipes 43 and S6 are installed between said brackets 81 and 81A.

In the use and operation of this invention, when the drill apparatus is initially started in the ground the pilot bit 26 is first moved downwardly and when this bit moves down to its extended position, which is the position shown in Figure 1B, the clutch member v32, carriedby therdrillfrod 30,

will engage clutch elements 29 carried by drill bit body 23. The drill bit 22 will thereupon rotate with the pilot bit 26. The entire assembly is firmly supported within the drilled opening 68 by moving collar 64 upwardly ther-eby shifting the upper and lower clamp assemblies 5l and 58 to their outer clamping positions. After the drill bit 22 has moved downwardly for a predetermined distance, the drilled opening is then lined with the casing segments. These casing segments form sections of the casing which are inserted one below the other as the drill proceeds rather than forcing the uppermost or rst casing downwardly into the hole as the drill progresses.

This device has been designed for drilling relatively large holes which are big enough for a man to enter and to apply the casing segments which are anchored as they are assembled by anchoring members 20.

'Ihe exact configuration illustrated is regarded as the optimum, but some of the desirable results inherent in this disclosure may be obtained by various slight modifications, including some departure from the exact configuration shown, and it is, therefore, request-ed that the scope of the invention should be regarded as limited only by the terms of the claims.

What I claim is:

l. A well drilling means comprising a casing, a platform in said casing, means on said platform engaging means on said casing for slidably mounting said platform in said casing, a drill rod in said casing below said platform, means connecting one end of said drill rod to said platform adapted to support said drill rod, a tubular member surrounding a portion of said drill rod, drill rod operating means carried by said tubular member for rotating said drill rod, a pair of vertically spaced apart arms Xed on said tubular member each having an upwardly and outwardly inclined cam surface thereon, a, collar slidabaly carried by said tubular member above each of said arms, connecting bars having the opposite ends thereof connected to said collars, rock levers pivotally mounted on said collars and having inwardly projecting means at the lower portions thereof adapted to engage said cam surfaces for rocking said levers to outward supporting position upon sliding of said collars upwardly relative to said tubular member, and a winding means carried by said platform and connected to one of said collars for sliding said collars upwardly on said tubular member.

2. A well drilling means comprising a casing', a plurality of vertically extending guide members carried by said casing, a platform in said casing engaging said guide members for slidably mounting said platform relative to said casing, gear means on said platform engaging gear means on at least one of said guide members for eecting vertical adjustment of said platform relative to said casing, a drill rod in said casing below said platform, means connected to said platform and to said drill rod for rotatably supporting said drill rod from said platform, a tubular member surrounding a portion of said drill rod, drill rod operating means carried by said tubular member adapted to effect rotation of said drill rod, a pair of vertically spaced apart arms xed on said tubular member each having an upwardly and outwardly inclined cam surface formed thereon, a collar slidably carried by said tubular member above each of said arms, flange means at the top of said tubular member for limiting the sliding movement of the upper one of said collars, connecting bars having `the opposite ends thereof connected to said slidable collars, rock levers pivotally mounted on each of said collars, pressure clamping heads on said rock levers, upwardly and outwardly inclined portions formed on said rock levers adapted to engage said cam surfaces for rocking said levers and said pressure clamping heads to outward supporting position upon sliding said collars upwardly relative to said tubular member, and a winding means carried by said platform and connected to said upper one of said collars for sliding said collars upwardly relative to said tubular member.

VICTOR PRASSEL.

REFERENCES CITED rf'he following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 494,779 Gardner Apr. 4, 1893 1,188,001 May June 20, 1916 1,315,422 Roberson Sept. 9, 1919 1,348,325 Shean Aug. 3, 1920 1,380,203 Glick May 31, 1921 1,514,156 Hancock Nov. 4, 1924 1,668,034 Zaluski May 1, 1928 1,858,926 Grau et al. May 17, 1932 2,091,779 Gooder Aug. 31, 1937 

